India books 77 lakh new LPG cylinders refills:Bookings fall after government appeal; more people apply online

The number of people booking LPG cylinder refills (the gas cylinders we use for cooking) has gone down from 88.8 lakh on Friday to 77 lakh on Saturday. The earlier rush to book cylinders seems to be easing off. No shortage of fuel The government has repeatedly said that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG in the country. Even with what’s happening in West Asia, supplies are steady and reliable. Online bookings on rise More and more people are booking their LPG cylinders online. About 87% of bookings were done online on Saturday, which was up from 84% on Friday. The government says this is because oil companies are encouraging people to book online and not to line up at gas agencies. Authorities working on war footing All the refineries in India are working at full speed to make sure there is enough fuel. They also have plenty of crude oil (the raw material for petrol, diesel, and LPG) in storage. The country is making enough petrol and diesel on its own, so there’s no need to import these fuels. Oil companies are reporting that no gas stations or LPG agencies have run out of fuel. They are making sure that petrol, diesel, and LPG are being supplied regularly. Government prioritising households and hospitals The government is making sure that homes, hospitals, and schools get the LPG they need without any problems. Govt raids State governments are taking action to stop people from hoarding (stockpiling) and selling petrol, diesel, and LPG illegally. There have been raids in some states to check for these activities. Oil company officials are also checking gas agencies to make sure everything is running smoothly. The government has repeatedly urged people not to panic and buy extra fuel. There is enough petrol and diesel available across the country. Natural Gas diversification Sectors like piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) are receiving full supply, while supplies to industrial and commercial users have been regulated at about 80%. Changes to LPG rules The government has made it compulsory for people with PNG connections to give up their domestic LPG connections. Authorities have also made sure that refineries produce as much LPG as possible and that booking intervals are rationalized to ensure equitable distribution. Around 1.94 lakh passengers return to India The government is keeping a close eye on the situation in West Asia and helping Indians in that region. Around 1.94 lakh passengers have returned to India since 28 February.